Esther 8

    I. \\#Esther 1:1-22\\ The Wife Who Refused to Obey
   II. \\#Esther 2:1-23\\ Choosing a New Queen
  III. \\#Esther 3:1-15\\ Haman Forms A Plot
   IV. \\#Esther 4:1-17\\ For Such A Time As This
    V. \\#Esther 5:1-14\\ The Courage and Wisdom of Esther
   VI. \\#Esther 6:1-14\\ A Sleepless Night In Persia
  VII. \\#Esther 7:1-10\\ A Just Dessert
 VIII. \\#Esther 8:1-17\\ Fixing A Wrong

I. \\#Esther 8:1-17\\ Fixing A Wrong
    A. \\#Esther 8:1-2\\ A Change in Leadership
        1. \\#1\\ "On that day" - Apparently, on the day Haman was hanged.
        2. "for Esther had told what he was unto her" - There is no longer
            any need to keep the secret.
        3. \\#2\\ "the king took off his ring… and gave it unto Mordecai"
            The ring is thy symbol of authority.  When the king gave Mordecai
            the ring, he was giving to him Haman’s old position.
        4. "And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman" - Esther had
            requested of the king her life \\#Esther 7:3\\, but he gave her the
            lives of her enemy as well.  Esther gave them to Mordecai.
    B. \\#Esther 8:3-6\\ A Repeated Request
        1. \\#3\\ "Esther spake yet again before the king" - Even though Haman
            was dealt with, the threat to the Jews remains.  Something must be
            done with the commandment that Haman made.
        2. \\#4\\ "the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther" - To make
            the request again, Esther had to go before the king a second time.
    C. \\#Esther 8:7-14\\ A Workable Solution
        1. \\#8\\ "for the writing which is written in the king’s name… may no
            man reverse" - In Persia, once the king wrote a law, it could not be
            rescinded.
        2. "Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you" - Ahasuerus’s solution
            was to let Esther and Mordecai write their own law, whatever they
            wanted, to fix the situation.
        3. \\#9\\ "third month… three and twentieth day" - The last time
            reference was \\#Esther 3:12\\.  On the thirteenth day of the first
            month, Haman sent out his post, condemning the Jews to death.  By the
            time Esther and Mordecai write and prepare their law to be sent, two
            more months have passed.
        4. \\#10-11\\ "the king granted the Jews… to gather themselves
            together, and to stand for their life… upon the thirteenth day of
            the twelfth month" - The solution was to allow the Jews to prepare
            to defend themselves.
            a. It is interesting that Esther and Mordecai do not give themselves
                any advantage.  They simply level the playing field.
            b. It is certain that in the last two months, most of the Jew-haters
                would have exposed themselves.  This would likely demand a fight
                to the death between the Jews and their enemies.
    D. \\#Esther 8:15-17\\ A Joyous People
        1. \\#15\\ "Mordecai went out from the presence of the king" - Mordecai
            looks the part of royal advisor with colorful clothing and a CROWN OF
            GOLD.
        2. "the city of Shushan rejoiced and glad"  - The Jews had…joy, and
            honour" - The people of Persia were glad that Haman was gone and
            that the intent of his wicked law had, to some extent, been
            neutralized.
        3. \\#16-17\\ "The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour"
            Things also changed for the Jews.  Whereas they were hated, now they
            are honored.  In addition, they have hope and much joy at the thought
            of defending themselves.  They know that if God has done so much for
            them already, He will cause them to prevail against their enemies.
            a. \\#17\\ "a feast and a good day" - The Jews celebrated when they
                heard how God had worked on their behalf in promoting Mordecai
                to Haman’s position.
            b. "And many of the people of the land became Jews" - Even with the
                impending fight for their lives, non-Jews turned to God.
            c. "for the fear of the Jews fell upon them" - God may not be
                mentioned, but His hand and worship of Him is clearly seen.

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